Water travels down
your throat into an
expansive lake
tucked in the
cavernous infinitude
of a beasts’ belly.
You are the water.
You are equal part snake,
undulating river dancer,
myth-weaver,
and lion,
watchful, prideful,
nurturer of cubs
and knower of
terrible secrets.
What seemed to be
intestine folds
you make into
firmament.
What seemed to be
granite wall
you make porous.
Small hole is
invitation for
cunning mind
and silky skin,
were you ever really there?
Wide world is invitation
for generous heart
and black eyes.
Take me with you.
Take me in.
—
Justus Wachs is a participatory action researcher, poet, and PhD candidate at McGill University in Montreal. Combining contemplative practices with creative methods like poetry, storytelling, and meditation, his work explores how inner transformations of values and worldviews can inspire collective action and systemic change. With a decade of environmental activism and creative facilitation, Justus engages with sustainability-focused activists and organizations to foster transformative learning and address socio-ecological crises.
